By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R) from Saks will be the Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee in the 113th U.S. Congress.
Congressman Rogers said, “I am deeply honored that Chairman McKeon chose me to lead this important Subcommittee. The Third District is home to critical military installations like the Anniston Army Depot and Fort Benning, and Maxwell Air Force Base is right in the Montgomery area. This is an incredibly important role, and I hope to use this chairmanship to further ensure these vital facilities are strengthened and protected in the years to come, while advocating for common sense defense policies that provide for our war fighters and help protect our nation,”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R) from California said, “I asked Congressman Rogers to serve as the Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee because he is a proven leader, a subject matter expert, and one of the hardest working Members I know. He will serve our nation and his district well in this leadership role.”
The Strategic Forces Subcommittee oversees the U.S. Military’s strategic weapons, ballistic missile defense, space programs, and most of the Department of Energy national security programs.
The state of Alabama contributes greatly to much of the research and development for many of these programs which create Alabama jobs and pumping $millions into the Alabama economy. Huntsville has become a major research and development hub in America’s space and defense sectors.
The Anniston Army Depot is in Rogers 3rd Congressional District. Rogers has advocated for the Depot for many years and this new position will put him in an even stronger position to advocate for a continued U.S. Military presence in East Alabama.
In March, Rep. Rogers said, “Anniston Army Depot has state-of-the-art facilities, a world class workforce, and the proven reputation of America’s “can do” spirit. But we should face this period of transition with a sober eye and resolve of steel. We are all aware of the dire fiscal condition our nation faces. This coupled with the President’s unwillingness to fully fund a national defense strategy I believe we need, and his request for a new round of BRAC, adds more uncertainty to the future. I oppose a new round of BRAC, especially while the Army is determining its path forward through the troop drawdown. If a new round of BRAC is approved in coming years, since we’ve been down that road before, as a community I believe we’re well positioned to fight for the Depot, with the Chamber having never stood-down their efforts since BRAC 2005, and ensure it remains the premier facility of its kind in America.”
Representative Rogers was the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security in the 112th Congress. Rogers lost a bid to replace Rep. Peter King (R) from New York as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security to U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R) from Texas. No Alabama Congressman or woman will be a chairman of any of the 19 full House Committees in the 113th Congress.
Congressman Mike Rogers represents Alabama’s Third Congressional District.
